About the Royal March
in the footsteps of the legendary kings
Kings' North Zealand National Park
The national park is named after the legendary Danish kings who have been associated with North Zealand for centuries. According to legends and tales, this was the area where kings lived and ruled, and the landscape still bears the mark of their presence. From the majestic towers of Kronborg Castle to the deep forests surrounding the old royal roads, the area is steeped in history and mythology.
coastal land, forests and royal castles
The Royal March in the Kings of North Zealand National Park takes you through an area full of history and magnificent nature – just an hour’s drive from Copenhagen. The national park’s 262 square kilometers contain deep forests, open coastlines and iconic cultural and historical gems. Pass by the majestic Kronborg Castle, enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of Teglstrup Hegn, and feel the fresh sea air at Hornbæk. Here, nature and history merge into a unique experience for all adventurous souls.
in the footsteps of the legendary kings
The Royal North Zealand National Park is an area where history lives in the landscape. Explore the old royal roads that wind through forests and open fields, and experience Kronborg Castle, where the grandeur of the past meets the beauty of the present. Also visit the charming coastal town of Hornbæk or the peaceful trails in Teglstrup Hegn, where nature tells its own story.
The national park offers a rich combination of culture, nature and local experiences – all an indispensable part of your march.
The National Park's mission
A brief overview of the national park
- 5 world-famous royal and cultural historical sites, including Kronborg Castle and Fredensborg Castle
- Birdlife; The heathland attracts greylag geese and great snipe, while the lakes are habitat for kingfishers, great spotted woodpeckers and great crested grebes.
- 6 important habitat types:
- Forests
- Coastal areas and sandy beaches
- Lakes and streams
- Dune areas
- Marine areas
- Pastures and meadows
- Natura 2000; The majority of the national park is designated as a Natura 2000 area, emphasizing its importance for the conservation of biodiversity.
- Biodiversity; The park is home to rich wildlife, including several species of deer, foxes, badgers, buzzards, black woodpeckers, ospreys, owls and white-tailed eagles
- Area distribution:
- 24 percent lakes and streams
- 51 percent forest
- 11 percent cultivated fields
- 8 percent light open nature
- 5 percent cities
- 1 percent summer cottage areas
- 262 square kilometers and thus the second largest National Park in Denmark
- Denmark's two largest lakes, Arresø and Esum Sø
The Creation of the Royal March
The King's March is a march focusing on nature experiences in the Royal North Zealand National Park, which was inaugurated on May 29, 2018 as Denmark's fifth national park. The march's routes are laid out with a focus on nature, the hilly terrain, the area's beauty and attractions.
The area of the national park is 262 square kilometers. Over 70 percent of the national park is made up of Natura 2000 areas, and about half is forest, of which 90 percent is subject to biodiversity objectives. One of Denmark's largest forests, Gribskov, and the country's two largest lakes, Arresø and Esrum Sø, are part of the national park, along with two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Kronborg Castle and the Parforcejagtlandskabet.
The hope/vision of the Kongemarchen is to support the growing interest in hiking. Maybe the corona brought something good with it after all? When we were not allowed to be together in training clubs and associations, many laced up their hiking boots and went on hikes into the blue. A trend started, and it has been growing strongly since.
During a march, the speed is reduced, so that you have the opportunity to enjoy the sensory impressions and nature, and above all, you can make new acquaintances. There is plenty of time to chat along the way, and that really does something. Hearing about other people's experiences, stories and ideas provides inspiration for your own thoughts and reflection.
Challenge yourself and complete the march. Feel what nature can give you.
The team behind the Royal March
The team currently consists of only one person, but more partners are on the way.
My name is Brian Damsgaard, 44 years old, trained police officer, personal trainer and coach. During the period of Covid-19, I was opened to what hiking can do. Not only in relation to the body and the physical aspect, but also for the mental. The mindset.
Good constructive thoughts and ideas suddenly found their way because I was in a situation where I gave my thoughts free rein. There was no noise or disturbances, but rather peace and space for reflection. For several years I have been toying with the idea of organizing a march event with a strong focus on nature experiences.
FAQ - Frequently asked questions
Here are a few of the typical questions we get. You can read much more about the trip and the preparations on the page worth knowingIf you have any other questions, you are always welcome to contact us at contact@fremadmarch.dk.
The route
The routes go through the scenic surroundings of the Royal North Zealand National Park. The routes are planned with beauty, experiences, challenges and attractions in mind. If you are not already in love with the national park, you will certainly be on your route.
The routes will be marked with wire flags, so you can safely enjoy your route without having to look down at a phone all the time to find your way.
However, as an extra precaution, we recommend that you have downloaded the selected route to the Komoot app. Before starting, you will receive the route in GPS form, after which the app will show you the way with your phone, just like you know it from car navigation. Your mobile phone or GPS device will guide you through even the darkest forests without any problems.
Which distance should I choose?
With the right training, anything is possible. Longer trips are a lot about mindset and belief in your own abilities. Prepare yourself, spend time on training trips, get out into nature and feel what it can give you. Because it can give you a lot.
The training rides also help you gain experience in choosing shoes, socks, and what food your body works best with. As the difficulty and length of your training rides increase, your body also adapts to the distances and increased endurance demands.
Take note and choose a distance that suits you and your level of ambition.
Depots along the way
We have placed the depots so that there will be opportunities to use the toilet and refill water at all of them. In addition, there will be soda, coffee, fruit, energy and chocolate bars, mini salami, sweets, rye bread, toast with Nutella and much more.
Equipment – what should I bring?
Required equipment: backpack, mobile phone, power bank, headlamp, water bottle/camel bag, overshirt.
In addition, it may be a good idea to bring an extra pair of socks as well as food and snacks.
Food – what should I bring?
It may be wise to bring some rye bread snacks or buns. Although there are depots along the way, you should be aware that the march is a self-catering event. Test what works for you on your training trips and make a meal plan for yourself. It may help you to eat a rye bread snack every 2 hours. On the long marches you will feel hungry, and so it is important to force yourself to eat to give your body some energy to work with. Otherwise, your body may go cold.
What do I do if I get injured along the way or can't continue?
If you are forced to abandon the hike, there are several places where you can shorten your trip and return to the start/finish line or head towards the nearest depot.
When will I receive information about the event?
Shortly after your registration, you will receive an order confirmation with a QR code. This code must be presented before starting in the starting area.
You will receive ongoing emails about the event, and in the weeks leading up to the event you will receive a link to the route you have registered for.
What if I can't participate anyway?
The starting point is that if you become injured or ill, the buyer (participant) has no right of withdrawal, cf. the Consumer Agreement Act on Internet Commerce, as recreational leisure activities are not included in the agreement. Transfer of starting number can be done by sending an email to contact@fremadmarch.dk.